Emerging talent Taylor is handed his chance to shine

Rookie prop Scott Taylor last night thanked a trio of Hull KR legends for helping him earn a shock fast-tracked England debut.

The 21-year-old will feature off the bench against the Exiles in the second International Origin game at Galpharm Stadium tomorrow evening as one of six changes to Steve McNamara’s squad.

However, he only got the call to join the national side’s base in Leeds on Sunday night after late withdrawals from Hull FC’s Danny Tickle (bicep) and Wigan’s Gareth Hock (personal reasons).

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There are debuts also for Huddersfield Giants’ Danny Brough and Salford’s Matty Smith who form a new half-back partnership, plus Warrington’s Stefan Ratchford, who starts at full-back, and late Wigan addition Liam Farrell.

St Helens’ Jon Wilkin will captain England in this game, taking over from Jamie Peacock, who last week announced his retirement from international rugby league.

But it is strong-running Taylor who gets the surprise shot following his rapid rise with the Robins.

Initially a second-row, he made real progress last season and has advanced further this term since inheriting the No 10 jersey of retired Mick Vella.

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It was that gnarled Australian front-row and his compatriots Ben Galea – the current Rovers captain – and Clint Newton, now with Penrith Panthers, who helped point Taylor in the right direction.

“From joining the first team at 17, more as a back-row, Clint Newton and Benny Galea really took me under their wing,” he said.

“They were massive for me and taught me almost everything I know.

“Having then established myself as a front-row, having people like Mick Vella around was a really big help too. He’s a great guy, a brilliant captain, who was always there to talk to and rely on.

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“But also Morgs (ex-coach Justin Morgan) being an old prop was top notch for me and, now, having (coach) Craig Sandercock bringing into my game a lot of stuff the NRL forwards are doing has also helped me to adapt even more.”

All of which did not mean he failed to be taken aback when McNamara called to let the Hull-born player know of his promotion.

“I was just sat at home with the missus chilling, and Steve rang to say I had a real good chance of playing so pack my bag, sat nav and get here as fast as I can,” he recalled.

“I was pretty blown away at first and didn’t really know what to say. I went pretty quiet on the phone and then it sunk in.

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“But it seems like a rollercoaster. I’m going up and up and I don’t want to come down. I just want to keep on going.

“I couldn’t ever imagine to be playing so soon for England; I was so happy and proud to play against Ireland for the Knights just the other week so this now is a lot of dreams come true.”

Taylor, renowned for his tough defence, had been picked for the Knights at the end of last season but Sandercock told him to pull out in order to have a much-needed shoulder operation and the decision now seems ratified.

Hull KR had seven props competing for spots at the start of this term, but the talented Taylor cemented his place and has only missed one fixture due to injury.

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He has seen off the challenge of Scott Wheeldon, who left for London Broncos in April, and, just recently, the highly-rated Liam Watts, who headed to Hull FC.

“I came back into pre-season, trained hard and Sandy gave me the 10 shirt so I was pretty happy with that,” he added.

“But that still doesn’t mean anything – if you don’t train or play well you’re not going to play again no matter what number is on your back. But I stayed in the side and I think other props moved on because they weren’t getting games.

“That’s pretty good testament to our pack and the consistency is probably the reason for the Knights and now this.”

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Intriguingly, he could face Rovers colleagues such as Michael Dobson, Con Mika and Lincoln Withers, the last two getting their own late call-ups yesterday.

After winning the first game 18-10, England hope to complete a series whitewash and McNamara, who recalls Hull FC winger Tom Briscoe, added: “It is an exciting opportunity to see some quality young players coming in and staking a claim for a regular place.”

He confirmed Rangi Chase was not considered after being suspended by Castleford for an alleged breach of club discipline.

McNamara said: “Rangi has got to sort out his issues with Castleford. It would be wrong of us to consider a player for selection when he is in that current situation with his club.

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“I’ve got a lot of time for Rangi but the time is not right for him to be part of this group now. Whether he would have been or not is a different question but he needs a clear mind.”

Friends turn enemies at the Galpharm

Exiles: A Gelling (Wigan), A Laffranchi (St Helens), A Kaufusi (London), B Hodgson (Warr’n, capt), C Mika (Hull KR), D Holdsworth (Salford), D Millard (Catalan), E Lauaki (Wigan), F Meli (St Helens), H L’Estrange (Bradford), J Chan (H’field), J Monaghan (Warr’n), J Moon (Salford), K Leuluai (Leeds), L Withers (Hull KR), M Dobson (Hull KR), S Moa (Hull), S Dureau (Catalan), S Soliola (St Helens), S Menzies (Catalan), W Manu (Hull).